Funding confirmed for Medway's University Technical College by Education Secretary Nicky Morgan

Work on Medway’s University Technical College can now go full steam ahead as funding has been officially confirmed.

The UTC is due to open next year and already has a principal in place. This week the recently appointed Education Secretary Nicky Morgan agreed to enter into a funding agreement with Medway UTC.

Dr Karon Buck, principal of Medway UTC, said: “I am delighted that the Department for Education has recognised the importance of the UTC to the young people of Medway and adjacent boroughs, and our funding agreement is now in place.

Principal Dr Karon Buck will be overseeing construction of the UTC

“I am now in the position to be able to put our exciting plans into action to ensure that Medway UTC offers the very best education for 14 to 19-year-olds who wish to specialise and excel in engineering or construction and the built environment as part of their learning pathway.”

The school will begin enrolling 600 Year 10 and 12 students next month in a catchment area from Gravesham, Maidstone, Tonbridge and Swale and, of course, Medway.

Lord Nash, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Schools, said: “UTCs are an important part of our school reforms. Medway UTC will make a vital contribution to help raise educational standards and prepare young people for a career in engineering and construction.

“This will help meet the future skills needs of employers in the Medway area and in these industries more widely.

“The trust’s effort in achieving such a milestone is testament of its commitment and passion to open a unique and exciting school.”

How Medway's UTC will look

Planning permission for the 26- acre site was finally granted last month, with the land purchased back in January.

The £10 million project forms part of the massive redevelopment of Chatham Docks and is expected to take 12 months to complete, in time for an opening in September 2015.

The UTC is sponsored by Medway Council, the University of Greenwich, MidKent College and BAE Systems.

Core GCSE subjects will be taught and there will be no homework as everything will be completed during extended school hours, from 8.30am to 5pm.